NDML interview Rowans Tenpin Bowling in Finsbury Park
Rowans Tenpin Bowling is a highly diversified night time entertainment venue. Born in 1988, the bowling alley is a real-American retro-styled staple, offering 24 lanes and 13 pool tables. Having previously existed as a cinema, and a snooker hall, the old-school architecture of the building is stunning. Convenient, chilled-out and iconic, with Rowans Tenpin time stands still.
And yet the General Manager, Terence Harrison has done much in the way of diversification to promote growth for the business. They recently opened an outdoor dining area, for BBQ and picnics. Events feature disco, reggae, dance and even speed-dating. And Terence is toying with the idea of a mini golf course to takeover one of the many function rooms.
NDML have insured Rowans Tenpin Bowling for more than 20 years. We wanted an insight into the life and experience of a longstanding General Manager, as well as into the financial outlook of a popular bowling business. Terence holds a great relationship with his Account Executive, Michael Dawson, and his handler, Amy Moor, and so was than happy to invite NDML to his premises. Terence speaks on the importance of having a specialised broker in your corner, and of all the risk management actions present at the Rowans Tenpin Bowling premises.
Rowans Tenpin Bowling, with Terence Harrison – NDML insurance and #WeAreNightlife 2026
Introduction to Terence Harrison
Terence explains he started with he business at it’s formation in 1988 as the accountant. He then became the office manger in 1993, and has held the role of General Manager since 1995. Terence’ responsibilities include the day to day running of Rowans Tenpin Bowling; he has 80 employees, and all the accountancy still goes through him.
Rowans started life as a snooker club in 1986, but now it operates as a 24 lane bowling centre with a late-night entertainment arm, featuring many different DJs and genres of music. The unique nightclub-feel but with the socialising of tenpin bowling works very well for the success of the business says Terence.
How have you successfully integrated Tenpin bowling with nightclubbing?
Terence poses Rowans is the first tenpin bowling alley that had a live DJ. The scene has developed over the decades, but Rowans have updated their sound system and set up to stay ahead.
What are your busiest days?
Saturdays and Sundays are always the busiest says Terence. Midweek is very corporate and local couples appear, but Monday is the quietest day.
Rowans tenpin bowling is perfectly set up for functions, with exclusive use offered on the upper floors. The bowling league takes over this floor on Tuesday nights.
When was the last refurbishment at Rowans tenpin bowling?
Terence says Rowans are constantly refurbishing. They’ve created an outdoor dining section, with a BBQ, small bar, DJ, heaters, tables and plants. A real Boeing airplane engine features as the tech booth, as well as a motorbike in the pro shop. The American-stylings help maintain the retro bowling alley feel.
Rowans is an independent family-owned business, and much of the memorabilia reflect the personality of the family owners. The business is always developing changing, including improving their arcade games and offerings.
What financial challenges are impacting tenpin bowling alleys such as Rowans tenpin bowl?
Terence lays out the various financial challenges affecting tenpin bowling alleys. He says Rowans are still busy, but the World Cup negatively affected revenues, which is a different result to most of the hospitality scene. For bowling alleys, footfall is much quieter in the summer, and always picks up in the winter months, especially over Christmas.
Costs are constantly going up, affirms Terence. Wages are always going up alongside the minimum wage increase; it affects pensions and holiday pay too. Gas is actually 40% higher last year compared to the past year, exclaims Terence. Electricity is 15% higher.
As the General manager what are you focussing on at the moment?
Terence says he is looking at how to build out the business’s social media presence. He wants to advertise how much cheaper his venue’s drink prices are compared to other venues in the area.
Terence emphasises that his bar prices are significantly cheaper than neighbouring venues and local pubs. A pint at Rowans is £6.20, whereas down the road a pint is around £7.20. But Terence will need to raise the prices, only by about 20p or so, to cover the cost increase impacting his business.
Why have Rowans Tenpin Bowl been a client of NDML insurance for so long?
Rowans are a client of NDML’s for nearly 25 years. Terence says it’s because of his great relationship with Michael Dawson and the service of Amy Moor. He says he trusts Miki, he’s always helpful, always responsive. And whenever another broker knocks on Terence’s door, he finds they can’t offer what NDML can.
How does Rowan’s Tenpin Bowl manage insurance risks?
Terence explains the many procedures present at the site. Managers and the office staff go through checklists every morning. These include fire exit doors and the alarms. Cleaners handle spillages quickly. There are many security personnel at the premises, including a late night watchman who stays overnight. Cash is rarely held at the premises, with most transactions, around 93%, being card. The bowling premises has many cameras, CCTV surveillance all over the venue.
Terence finishes the conversation by demonstrating the importance of diversification, and how tenpin bowling will always be popular mainstay, due to it being embedded into the fabric of the country.
Thank you to Terence for inviting us to visit Rowans Tenpin Bowling. All of us at NDML wishes his business our best concerning the new renovations and upcoming events.
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